Relay Races Ahead as Sector Suffers Increased demand for 'singular service offer'

Published: February 2008

Relay Recruitment, has bucked the decline in the recruitment sector by posting record-breaking end of year results and a best ever year start.

In trading figures just released, a 36 per cent surge in sales on '05/'06 saw billings of £7.85m and 25 per cent margins for the year ending 30 August 2007.  Pre-tax profits were £252,500.

Turnover in the first quarter of the current year was £2.43m, with a margin lift of 2 per cent.  Encouraging pre-tax profits of £190,000 in this period represent 75 per cent of the figure for the entire previous 12 months.

Relay's targeted sales for the year are £8.65m and, despite ambitious expansion plans that include investment in new branches, the group is chasing margins of 31 per cent.

Success is attributed to a keen value added approach, which includes consultancy on Employment Law issues; a rise in onsite operations for clients manned by dedicated Relay ‘Away Teams'; continual development of its offer to customers and candidates; and the attraction and retention of top consultants.

Managing director, Steven Street, said: "We work to the philosophy that high standards and innovation will always be in demand, whatever the market, so it is encouraging that the onset of rigorous trading conditions has seen an increase in blue chip clients and superior candidates."

Steven founded Relay eleven years ago, in Bradford.  He differentiated by setting out an unashamedly quality stall from the outset, quickly securing an enviable client base and excellent pool of labour. 

Now operating across West and North Yorkshire and beyond, the company offers the full range of personnel services on an outsourced basis and the last two years have seen increased demand for ‘embedded' Relay consultants at clients' locations.  Candidates and customers also benefit from long range forecasting, which sees counselling on the best ways to prepare for anticipated labour market and demographic changes - as well as upcoming legislation.

Among recent innovations were the construction of the first Polish language website for Eastern European workers in Yorkshire and being the first UK recruiter of its size to create a board level role dedicated to the development of its own staff.  

Relay is finding itself increasingly influential in its industry, as more consultancies adopt its approach.  Steven Street added: "We aspire to a singular service offer, but constant inspiration is needed as we find our products and services quickly imitated."

Now Relay is looking to grow.  It opened new offices in Wakefield recently and will announce more new locations later in the year.